The Golden Pear [YA - Featured]

♫~Notes 56~♫

"Why there are... mine...?" He darted towards the stack of papers, but he didn't find anything else. He tried to calm his pumping heart, but it was no use.

With a heavy slam, he sat down. Cogwheels ran in his mind, turning at tremendous speed. He closed his eyes, remembering what happened this day.

'We decided to discuss new topics for our club at home.'

Rigaku's figure disappeared from the room, and sunlight moving backward filled it.

'Ai promised to get more data on Satos' ranch over this weekend. He already had a raw sketch of the poster with Ka brainstorming a story idea. I think Ai mentioned one horse named Star that passed away the last month.'

His brothers moved in the corner, where their tables stood. In the middle, they had another for sorting out the topics, finishing details, and finalizing the form.

'Then Freya discovered a donation institute where people can bring their old clothes, toys, shoes, and other things. The organization then sorts everything and makes sure it's clean and still in good shape to be used.'

He saw her taking notes in her notebook and checking a folder. When he approached her, she slammed the folder, looking rather shocked. She ensured him, everything was fine with a wave of her hand.

Rigaku didn't pay it much of attention, but right now, it turned into a clue for this mystery. His dark eyes opened, scanning the end of the table Freya sat at.

'Right. I talked to her from the left side. She has hearing problems due to her burns. I just scared her. I should be more careful.'

He pinched the bridge of his nose, glancing the sketches. 'This is Ka's handwriting.' Rigaku spent months teaching his youngest brother to write properly to no avail. He still had a messy style, but it wasn't as bad as it used to be.

'How did he get access to my—'

"Hey, Ri?"

Rigaku jumped on his feet, pushing and crumbling the paper behind his back. His face paled as he looked into his brother's eyes.

"Are you okay?" Kagetsu gave him a worried smile. "You didn't react."

Rigaku, still not fully recovered, pushed his glasses back. "I-I was just lost in thoughts. Do you need anything?"

"Nah, just getting my notebook, I left here."

Rigaku watched as his brother walked to the table, putting it back into his bag.

"This Saturday"—Kagetsu's voice trailed off a bit—"the Drama club will have two last plays. I'm still participating."

"Oh." More than an answer, this was Rigaku breathing out.

"I promise to"—Kagetsu's eyes glanced the LGBT+ text next to Rigaku.—"What's—"

"Nothing!" Rigaku slammed his hand, covering it.

Kagetsu jerked his body, his imaginary cat ears flattening.

Words of apology dragged from Rigaku's throat, but his lips couldn't muster a word. Why was he furious? His blood boiled inside him! His fingers dug into the papers they were holding, crumbling them as if they wanted to shatter them into pieces.

"Sorry. I won't bother you," Kagetsu mumbled, and with slumped shoulders, he headed outside.

The burning blood cooled down with freezing sweat, soaking Rigaku's skin. No matter how much his brain urged him to stop his brother from leaving, his body refused to move. He bit his lip, sending a pang through his body.

"I'm sor—" his voice died down as his brother already left, and his stretched hand lowered. "N-No!" He hid his face and thudded on the chair, pushing it back with a squeak.

Crumbling the folder under his finger, he realized he was missing something. Looking at the blurry palm in front of himself, he understood what it was.

The sketched paper laid on the floor in a twisted form. He leaped toward it, landing on all fours. With pointless effort, he straightened the sheet as much as he could, with the rest reminded him scars.

"What now?" he whispered, and this time his brain might fail him.